Forecast snow amounts are variable across the region. Treat the danger as HIGH if you find more than 30 cm of accumulation. This snow may not bond well to underlying surfaces. The snow may be touchiest in lee terrain features due to howling winds.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, extreme southwest winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1300 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 1000 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light northwest winds, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level 900 m.MONDAY: A mix of sun and clouds, light west winds, alpine temperature -9 C, freezing level 800 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Thursday except for a cornice fall, which may have been triggered by a skier or naturally. The cornice did not appear to initiate a slab within the snowpack.Expect avalanche activity to increase over the weekend as new snow accumulates and forms storm and wind slabs.
Snowpack Summary
Around 10 to 15 cm of new snow fell on Thursday night and Friday, with associated strong south winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust below 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces. More snow is forecast for Friday night.Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.